Mower



T. W. PAUL Sept. 1, 1942.

MOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed May 13, 1933 Jlmumwnmwulmwm IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 1, 1942. T, W PAUL A Re. 22,171

' M O W ER Original Filed May l5, 1933 I '3 2 Shee-s-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. y

' ATTOMEYS.

Recsue'll l, 1942 i v Re.y 22,111!- -zz,1 u Mom 'ruben-i w. rm, Moline, m., mi neen a Company, Moline, llL, a

nois

'corporation of Illiorlgnml No. 1,946,544, mea February 1a, `1934, su-n1 No. 616,864, my 1:, 19:3. appunti@ for reime June s, 1942, sum N6. 446,251

12 Claims.

l and, broadly speaking, the present invention has to do with improved means for supporting the mower frame.

More specifically, the principal object of the .present invention is to provide improved andsimplied means for connecting the forward end of vthe mower frame to vthe tractor whereby the mower may swing vertically with respect to the tractor and may also swing horizontally about a vertical pivot when the cutting mechanism'of the mower strikes an obstruction.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supporting the rear ofthe mower frame at the side adjacent the cutting mechanism directly on the ground whereby the mower will follow the contour of the ground independently of the tractor.

These and other lobjects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment.

In the drawings:

Figure 1.is a top plan view of the mower as a plied to a tractor, shown fragmentarily in dotted lines, and illustrating my improved means for connecting the mower to the tractor and for supporting the rear end of the mower; and

Figure 2 is a side elevation, viewed from the cutter bar side, of the parts shown in Figure 1.

. Referring n ow more particularly to the several figures of the drawings, the mower frame comangle bars which are suitably spaced apart at Atheir forward ends and converge rearwardly,

their rear ends being bolted to a casting 4. At their forward ends the frame members 2 and 3 are connectedtogether by a transverse angle bar ly extending member I2. The transverse supporting member I2 provides means for connecting the mower to the tractor and, as shown, it is rigidly connected to the U-shaped draw'bar I3 of the tractor T by means of a pair of bolts I4 extending through aligned holes in the member I2 and ba'r I3.and provided with wing nuts I5 whereby the transverse member I2 can be quickly.

and easily connected to and disconnected from .the tractor, as will be readily understood. I'he transversely Vextending member I2 is provided with upwardly turned endsjIB and Il extending at right angles to the main body portion thereof as shown in Figure l, and said members are perforated to receive, respectively, a pivot bolt I8 and a pivot pin I9, which bolt and pin extend transvcrscly of the implement inV a horizontal plane in axial alignment with each other. As shown in Figure 1, the forward end of a `forked member 29 is .pivotally connected to the bolt I8, while at its rear end the member 2l carries ai vertically disposed pivot bolt 2|. Fixedly secured in any suitable manner to the forward end of the frame member 2 at the left hand front comer of the mower is a bracket 22 in the form of a strap will be seen from the foregoing that the horizontal pivot bolt I8, the member 20, the vertical pivot holt 2| and the strap 22 provide, in effect,

' a universal joint connection between 'the mower prises a pair of members 2 and 3 in the form of frame and the supporting member I2, as the frame may swing both vertically and horizontally relatively to the supporting member.

At its opposite side the frame of the mower is pivotally connected to the horizontal pivot pin I9 through the instrumentality of a latch mechanism 23. This latch mechanism 23 comprises a spring plate 24 xedly .connected at its rear end to -the right hand front corner of the mower frame by any suitable means and extending forwardly therefrom. The spring plate 24 carries a latch member 25 which is in the form of a suitable casting having a semi-circular. recess 26 in its top surface, as shown in Figure 2, toireceive the pivot pin I9. The latch member 25 is yieldingly supported below thev spring plate 24 by means of a spring 21 embracing a bolt 2B which is carried by the plateY 24 and extends vertically through asuitable opening in the latch member z5, the upper end of bearing against the lower face of the member 25 and the lower end of the spring bearing against a stop member carried by the bolt. lThe latch member 25 is provided with avertically extending lug 29 at its rear end which projects upwardlyv through a slot proved supporting means for the mower and 3l fo led in the plate 24 and, together with the bolt 28 maintains the member 25 of the latch in proper position relative to the spring plate 24. The forward end of the latch member 25 is provided with a cam surface 3l to facilitate engagementofthepin lintherecess taswillbe readily understood.V Thelforward end portion J2 of the spring 24 isalso bent upwardly to facilitate this Operation.

The pivot pin I5 being in alignment with the pivot bolt Il. these two members define the horlaontal transverse axis about which the mower swings in its risingand falling movements with respect to the tractor when in operation.

Should the cutter bar of the mower strike an obstruction when in operation whereby said cutter bar is prevented from moving forward with the tractor, the p lvot pin I9 causes a separation of the forward end of the latch member 25 and the spring plate 24, the forward end of the spring plate 24 being flexed upwardly while the member 25 is forced downwardly against the action of the spring 21,' thereby disengaging the latch from the pivot pin Il, whereupon the mower will swing rearwardly about the vertical rocking movement about a transverse axis on the drag bar 44 and such rocking movement is controlledby a tilting lever 41. The cutter bar 40 is lifted relatively to the frame of the mower through the agency of a lifting lever 50. The cutting mechanism may also be liftedto some extent by means of a foot lever 5I.

The sickle 4i is suitably supported in any appropriate manner for reciprocatory movement and is operated by a pitman connected at one mounted on a drive shaft 54 and driven thereby through a slip clutch 65. The drive shaft 64 is suitably journaled in bearings provided in a casting 56 mounted'on a plate 51 supported from the mower frame on brackets il and $9.

'I'he drive shaft 64 is driven from the power take-off shaft 10 on the tractor through suitable connection therewith including a universal joint 1l, telescoping connection 12, universal joint 13 and a disconnect clutch 14. Y

As my present invention is not particularly concernedwith the construction of the mower frame per se or with the cutting mechanism of the mower and the means for supporting the 65 same on the mower frame, or with the means for driving the cutting mechanism from the power take-olf of the tractor, it is believed that the abovebrief description thereof will suflice.

which embodies the feature -of pivotally connecting the forward end of the mower frame on the tractor and supporting the rear portion of the mower frame directly on'the ground. As will be apparent, this provides a construction in which the cutting mechanism follows cloly the ground contour since, in the iirst place, rthe rear tractor wheels are closely adjacent the forward end of thevmower frame, and, in the second place. the rear groimd engaging supporting means for the mower frameVA causes the mower unit to closely follow irregularities in the terrain. Another advantage of the present construction is that, since the mower unit is plvotally connected with the tractor for free vertical swinging, the mower unit can follow irregularities in the ground surface independently of the movements of the tractor itself in this respect.

` The forward end of the mower frame is pivotally connected with the supportingbar I2 carried on the tractor by the pivots Il and I9 described above. As best shown in; Figure 2, the casting 4. which is secured to the rearwardly converging ends of the frame bars 2 and l, is provided with a vertically extending sleeve portion 15 which is preferably formed integral therewith and is adapted to receive the vertical spindle 1I of a caster wheel 11. As best shownin Figure 1, the rearendsofthefranebars 2 and! are formed to disposethev caster wheel 11 to the right of the main portion of the mowerV frame and almost directlybehind the cutter bar shoe 42. This dispcsesthe rear ground engaging supporting-means, namely, the caster'wheel 11. in a position whereit will support most of the weight of` the mower unit. Particularly is this true when the sicklevbar hasbeen raised to inoperative or transport position. It is also to be noted that the frame members 3 and 4 extend rearwardly a sufficient distance so that when the frame swings about-tbe pivot 2l andthe caster wheel swings relative `to the frame about its pivot 1l the cutter bar 42 will not strike the cast- 4 er wheel 11.

Mention was made above of the releasable characterlstic of the mower unit whereby. should the cutterbar strike an obstruction, the cutter bar is automatically released from its Supporting frame and is permittedv to swing rearwardly if the tractor continues its forward advance. Also, this rearward movement of the cutter bar automatically releases the driving connections between the tractor andthe sickle bar. In this connection, the provision of a caster wheel for supporting the rear portion of the mower frame is of particular importance. Referring -to Figure 1, it will be observed that whenever the cutter bar 4l strikes an obstruction and the latch 23 is released the entire mower frame swings about a vertical axis defined by the pivot 2|, the wheel 11, by virtue of being a caster wheel, readily providing for this movement while still effectively .supporting the rear portion of the mower frame. Thus, the provision of a rear supporting -caster wheel for the mower frame is of importance where the mower frame, or at least the portion supported by the caster wheel, is adapted to swing laterally when obstructions are encountered. It

These several parts are fully described in the is to be noted, moreover, that the casterA wheel application of Wilbur J. Coultas and Nolan D. Y 11 of the present invention is employed in a Colvin, Serial No. 669,141, nled May 10, 1933, to which reference may be had if deemed desirable.

As mentioned above, the present invention is concerned with the provision of new andimmower unit wherein the mower frame is pvotally connected with a tractor for both vertical swinging about a horizontal axis and horizontal ing about a vertical axis.

swingmower will` follow the contour of While I have described above the principal features of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilledin theart that myinventionis nntto be'limited to the specific meansshown antillescribedbut that, in fact, widely different means may beemployed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire toV secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with'a tractor, of a mower comprising a frame and cutting mechanism car'- ried thereby and extending laterally thereof from one side, said frame including a generally longitudinally extending frame bar extending laterally and rearwardly to a point substantially behind traction wheels, of a mower comprising a frame and a cutting mechanism carried thereby and extending laterally thereof from one side, said cutting mechanism including a ground engaging shoe `disposed adjacent the traction wheel at thefside of the tractor from which said cutting mechanismextends, means for pivotally supporting the forward end of said frame on the tractor,

whereby said frame may swing vertically with respect thereto, saidA frame including a generally rearwardly extending frame member having its rear end disposed laterally toward the side from which said cutting mechanism extends and to a point substantially in line with said one traction wheel and said shoe, and means supporting the rear of said frame from the ground, whereby said .the ground independently of the tractor. f

3. The combination with a tractor, of a mower comprising a frame and a cutting mechanism carried by said frame and extending laterally therefrom, means' for pivotally supporting the forward end of said frame on the tractor whereby said frame may swing vertically, with respect to the tractor, said means including a vertical pivot said bars with the tractor at oppositesides thereof for vertical moveinent relaiivethereto about a,y transverse axis, d pivotal connection being establishedat `o spaced points on the tractor whereby the frame is'igi! rigid with respect thereto, operating le`ans carried byfsaid frame, caster wheel meanssupporting the rear portion of said frame, and connecting means associated with said first connecting means and providing for horizontal swinging movement of said frame about a vertical axis, saidl caster wheel means being so disposed relative t'o said vertical axis that said frame and operating means are substantially balanced about a line joining said axis and said wheel means.

s. an unnatural machine comprising. in wmbination, a tractor, an implement frame including a pair of longitudinally disposed frame bars connected together in rigid relation with respect to each other, means establishingA a pivotal connection at theirforward ends respectively with opposite sides of the tractor on a transverse axis whereby the frame is capable of vertical moveabout which said frame may swing in a horizon- Y forward end of said frame on the tractor whereby said frame may swingvertically with'respect t0 the'tractor, said means including a vertical pivot about which said frame may swing in a horizontal plane and a releasable latch normally holding said frame in operative position, and a caster wheel mounted to swing about a substantially vertical axis relative to said frame for supporting therear of said frame, said caster wheel being disposed rearwardly of said cutting mechanism sufficiently so as not to strike the latter when swinging relativevto said frame. y 5. An agricultural machine adapted to be propelledby a tractor or the like, comprising, in

combination, a supporting frame including longitudinally disposed frame bars connected toment relative to the tractor'and is prevented from moving laterally relative thereto, means disposed adjacent one side of the tractor and cooperating with said first means forl establishing a vertical pivot for the frame to provide for swingingmovement thereof in a horizontal plane, and caster wheel means at the rear ends of said frame bars for 'supporting the rear of said implement frame, saidv caster wheel means being so arranged laterally of said frame bars and relative to said `vertical pivot means that said frame is substantially balanced about a line joining said vertical pivot means and the point oi contact of said caster wheel means with the ground.

'7. An agricultural machine adapted to'be propelled by a tractor or the like, comprising, in combination, a supporting frame including horizontal longitudinally disposed framebars rigidly connected together and pivotally connected at their forward ends, respectively, directly with laterally spaced points on the tractorfor vertical movement relative thereto vabout a transverse axis, said Apivotal connection being established at two laterally spacedv points on the tractor whereby the frame is laterally rigid with respect thereto, means associated with said frame bars and serving to establish a vertical pivot for said supporting frame to provide for swinging Amovement thereof in a horizontal plane, said vertical pivot being disposed at one side of the frame, ground engaging means supporting the' other ends of said bars, said ground engaging means being disposed adjacent the rear of said frame bars and at the side opposite said vertical pivot, operating means carried by said frame. and means for driving said operating means from the power of the tractor including two universal joints and a telescopic connection therebetween and disposed adjacent said vertical pivot.

8. The combination with a tractor, of a mower adapted to be propelled thereby comprising a rigid frame supported at its forward end on the tractor and-'pivotally connected to the tractor at two laterally spaced points, whereby the frame i is held laterally rigid with respect to the tractor gether in rigid relation with respect to each but is free' to rise and fall relative thereto, caster wheel means supporting the rear end of the frame, a cutting mechanism including a sickle extending laterally to one side of the frame, a driving mechanism including a crank shaft mounted on the frame on the side opposite the cutting mechanism, a pitman .connecting the 4 cranksbai'tandthesicklandapowerconnection between the drlving'mecbanism and the -rledtlrbyandexteodingiatenllythcreoifrom-- power take-o! shalt o! the hactoraincludlng ap'air of universal joints and the telescopic connection to accommodate the risingand falling movements of the mower frame with respect to the tractor.V

9. The combination with atractor, of a mower :comprising a frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby and extending laterally thereof from one, side, said frame including a generally longitudinally extendingframe bar extending laterally and rearwardly toa point substantially behind the tractor wheel of the tractor at the side from which said cutting mechanism extends,

means connecting said mower frame to the tractor at laterally spaced points providing for vertical swinging movement ot the mower i'rame relative to the tractor including a connection at the sidel opposite that to which said cutting mecha- Vnism extends providing iorhorizontal swinging movement ot said mower frame out of operating` position behind the tractor, a releasable latch for releasably holding said mower frame in operating position, and means including-at least one castel:v wheel disposed at the rear end of said i'rame bar for supporting the rear of the frame from the ground, whereby said mower will follow the contour' of the ground independently oi the tractor.

. 10. The combination with a tractor, of a mower y comprising a frame and cutting mechanism carried' thereby and extending laterally thereof from one side, said i'rame including a generally longitudinally extending frame bar extending laterally and rearwardly to a point substantially behind the traction wheel ol the tractor at the side from which said cutting-mechanism extends,

means connecting said mower frame to thetractor at laterally spaced points for vertical swinging movement relative to the tractor including av vertical pivot about `which said mower Y viding for both vertical and horizontal swinging one side,`said trame including a generally longitudinally frame bar extending laterallyand rearwardlytoa polntubstantiallybehind the tractionwheel of the tractor at the side from which said cutting mechanism extends,'means connecting said mower trame to the tractor at laterally spaced points including at one connecting point a longitudinally extending con-` necting link connected at one end tothe tractor and atfits other end to said mower trame promovement o! saidmower trame relative to the frame may swing horizontally out of operating t position behind the tractor, a releasable latch for reieasably holding said mower frame in operating position, and means including at least one caster wheel disposed at the rear end oi said frame bar for supporting the rear oi the frame from the ground, whereby said mower wiilfollow the contour of the ground independently of the tractor.

l1. The combination with a tractor, of a mower comprising a frame and cutting mechanism cartractor, a latch mechanism lor releasably restraining said mower frame from swinging horizontally, and means including at least wheel'disposed at the rear end o! .sai bar for supporting the rear oi the fiame from the ground, whereby said mower will follow the contour of the ground independently of the caster tractor. Y

12. 'I'he combination with ,a tractor having rear traction wheels, of aV mower comprising a frame and a cutting mechanism carried thereby and extending laterally thereof from one side, 'said cutting mechanism including a ground-engaging lshoe disposed adjacent the traction wheel at the side of the from which said cutting mechanism extenlis,4 means connecting. said mower frame tothe tractor at laterally spaced points including means -Ior pivotallysupporting the 'forward end of said frame on the tractor,

wherebys'aid frame may swing vertically with respect thereto, and a longitudinally extending link connected-at one end to the tractor and at its other end to said mower frame and providing for both vertical and horizontal swinging movement of said mower frame with respect to the` tractor, a releasable latch for releasably restraining said mower frame from horizontalvswlngv ing, said-frame including a generally rearwardly extending frame member having its rear end disposed laterally toward the side from which said cutting mechanism extends and to a point substantially in line with said onev traction wheel and saidrshoe, and means including at least one caster wheel at the rear end otsaid frame memy ber for supporting-the rear of said frame from the ground, whereby said mower will follow the contour of the ground independently of th tractor,

'IMBERT w. Pana frame 

